Dread clutched at my heart. Until that moment I had been carried along by excitement and curiosity, eager to know the end of this story, but like the reader of a novel, never truly alarmed by the events. Now I knew this was no story. This was real.
The Curious Affair of the Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief
by Lisa Tuttle
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
About: When Miss Lane discovers fraudulent traps in a séance she's to assist in, she leaves her friends and the Psychical Society behind. Needing a new start, she happens upon an advertisement for a detective assistant and so becomes partners with Mr Jesperson. But a strange case involving a somnambulist soon has Miss Lane back in the world of the paranormal as their sleeping subject connects, inexplicitly, with the disappearance of several up and coming psychics...
Thoughts
The real mystery here is why Lisa Tuttle isn't a more popular author. I loved Windhaven that was co-written by Tuttle and George RR Martin, and while I could see Martin's direct influence in the world-building, now that I've read this, I can see Tuttle's hand in what was such a memorable read for me.
If you enjoy the Emily Wilde series, or nostalgic mystery-centred reads like Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes, then this is for you. I found it both cosy and gripping, an easy book to pick up as the writing is so assured. There's no awkwardness in the prose, no dull moments, and the characters are well-developed and likeable.
I especially liked the dynamic between Miss Lane and Mr Jesperson. They make a fun duo and I look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses over the course of the series.
There's also fantastic attention to historical details and I was really fascinated by the blurry lines between paranormal beliefs and emerging scientific discoveries; it felt like how these ideas would have been talked about and experienced during this period.
My only criticism really is that the climax had some strange pacing - with moments where I was desperate for answers, and then found that things were resolved rather quickly, or at least the dangers felt less immediate.
Overall, this is a great introduction to a series. Original, well-thought out, effortlessly entertaining, with a nostalgic nod to legends like Christie and Conan Doyle.
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